Nicole Kidman has departed from her role starring in the next, presently untitled, Woody Allen project.

She was set to star alongside Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Brolin, Naomi Watts and Freida Pinto, with shooting reportedly due to commence in the summer in Allen’s most frequent new city muse, London.

Variety says nothing has yet been announced as to who will replace Kidman in the role, and merely cites a "scheduling issue" with her other film, Rabbit Hole (co-starring Aaron Eckhart).

It seems like an interesting move for an actress who seems to be struggling somewhat to maintain any kind of box-office power. Australia was a complete flop and, prior to this, she was in the debacle that is The Golden Compass, the mean-spirited and somewhat irritating Margot at the Wedding, and the truly terrible The Invasion.

Allen, on the other hand, seems to be in an upward swing. Vicky Cristina Barcelona was his most universally liked work since Sweet and Lowdown, and Whatever Works, starring Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood, looks to be an even stronger creation.

I suppose we’ll see if Kidman can manage to find something to suit her talents in the future, and break the stream of dreck that's recently befallen her.